초록 ▼

A suspension-type storage unit that is particularly well suited for storing works of art or other hanging items in a space-efficient manner The storage unit includes a number of features that enable the storage unit to be moved between retracted and extended positions with a smooth, easy motion, wit

A suspension-type storage unit that is particularly well suited for storing works of art or other hanging items in a space-efficient manner The storage unit includes a number of features that enable the storage unit to be moved between retracted and extended positions with a smooth, easy motion, without vibration, so as to protect and prevent damage to articles or items carried by the storage unit. The storage unit includes an overhead rail that defines a downwardly open guide slot and a pair of support surfaces located one on each side of the guide slot, in combination with a frame and at least a pair of trolley assemblies interposed between the rail and the frame for enabling movement of the frame relative to the rail along the guide slot. Each trolley assembly is formed with a head section that extends through the guide slot, and a wheel arrangement that is mounted to the head section. The wheel arrangement includes a pair of wheels between which the head section is located. Each wheel is engaged with one of the support surfaces of the overhead rail, for providing movement of the trolley along the rail. Each trolley assembly further includes a pair of arms that extend in opposite directions from the head section, and the frame is engaged with the pair of arms in a suspension-type manner.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A suspension-type storage unit, comprising: an overhead rail defining a downwardly open guide slot and a pair of support surfaces located one on each side of the guide slot; a frame; and a pair of trolleys interposed between the rail and the frame for enabling movement of the frame rel

We claim: 1. A suspension-type storage unit, comprising: an overhead rail defining a downwardly open guide slot and a pair of support surfaces located one on each side of the guide slot; a frame; and a pair of trolleys interposed between the rail and the frame for enabling movement of the frame relative to the rail along the guide slot, wherein each trolley includes: a head section that extends through the guide slot; a wheel arrangement mounted to the head section, wherein the wheel arrangement includes a pair of wheels between which the head section is located, and wherein each wheel is engaged with one of the overhead rail support surfaces; and a pair of arms that extend from the head section, wherein the frame is engaged with the pair of arms such that the frame is supported from the pair of arms in a suspension-type manner wherein the frame includes an upwardly facing channel, wherein the pair of arms are disposed in the channel, and wherein the frame is supported from the arms via a frame support member mounted within the channel over each of the arms, and wherein each frame support member includes a mounting member secured to the frame within the channel, and a damper member between each arm and one of the mounting members. 2. The storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a guide member mounted to each mounting member, wherein each guide member extends upwardly from the mounting member into the downwardly open guide slot of the overhead rail to maintain the trolley in alignment with the rail during movement of the trolley along the rail. 3. The storage unit of claim 2, wherein the guide members comprise aligned blocks of low friction material. 4. The storage unit of claim 3, wherein each mounting member includes an upwardly facing groove, wherein each guide member defines a lower end that is received within one of the grooves. 5. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the channel is defined between a pair of upwardly extending flanges, and wherein the frame support member is secured within the frame channel via a pair of spaced fasteners that extend through the flanges and through the frame support member. 6. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the pair of arms are formed of a metallic material, and wherein each frame support member includes a mounting member secured to the frame within the channel, wherein the mounting member is formed of a metallic material, and a damper member between each arm and one of the mounting members, wherein the damper member is formed of a non-metallic resilient material. 7. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the wheel arrangement comprises a shaft that extends through an opening in the head section, and wherein the each wheel is mounted to an area of the shaft that extends outwardly from one side of the head section. 8. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein each arm is engaged with the frame via a frame support member that overlies the arm, and wherein the frame support members are mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the head section so that each arm is engaged with the frame in a cantilever fashion. 9. A method of securing a storage member of a storage unit in a suspension-type manner to a trolley, comprising the steps of: providing a trolley having a wheeled upper section and a pair of arms located below the upper section and extending in opposite directions; engaging a mounting member with the storage unit over each arm; and positioning a damping member between each arm and the overlying mounting member, wherein the damper member is formed of a resilient material to cushion the connection of the storage unit to the trolley. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the storage unit includes an upwardly facing channel, and wherein the arms and the mounting members are located within the channel. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the trolley is adapted for suspension from a rail having a downwardly open guide slot, and further comprising the steps of securing a guide member to the mounting member, and positioning the guide members within the downwardly facing guide slot. 12. A suspension-type storage unit, comprising: an overhead rail spaced above an upwardly facing surface; a frame defining an upper area and a lower area; a movable suspension-type connection between the rail and the upper area of the frame for providing movement of the frame along the rail; and a guide wheel carried by the lower area of the frame, wherein the frame is configured and arranged such that the guide wheel is engaged with the upwardly facing surface to guide movement of the frame relative to the upwardly facing surface as the frame is moved along the rail, wherein a biasing arrangement is interconnected with the guide wheel for biasing the guide wheel into engagement with the upwardly facing surface, and wherein the guide wheel is mounted to a lower end of a shaft, wherein the shaft is mounted in aligned openings in a mounting bracket secured to the frame, and wherein the biasing arrangement comprises a spring that acts on the shaft and on the mounting bracket to bias the shaft, and thereby the guide wheel, downwardly into engagement with the upwardly facing surface. 13. A method of guiding movement of a suspension-type storage unit relative to an upwardly facing surface, wherein the storage unit is movably mounted on an overhead rail spaced above the upwardly facing surface and carries a guide wheel mounted to a lower end of a shaft mounted in a mounting bracket secured to the storage unit and surrounded by a spring acting on the shaft and the mounting bracket, comprising the act of engaging the guide wheel carried by the storage unit with the upwardly facing surface, wherein the guide wheel functions to guide movement of the storage unit relative to the upwardly facing surface as the storage unit is moved along the rail. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the act of biasing the guide wheel downwardly into engagement with the upwardly facing surface. 15. A suspension-type storage unit, comprising: an overhead rail spaced above an upwardly facing surface; a frame defining an upper area and a lower area; a movable suspension-type connection between the rail and the upper area of the frame for providing movement of the frame along the rail for providing movement of the frame between first and second positions relative to the upwardly facing surface; and a deceleration arrangement including a magnetic member and a magnetically attractive member interposed between the lower area of the frame and the upwardly facing surface to slow movement of the frame as the frame approaches at least one of the first and second positions relative to the upwardly facing surface, wherein spacing between the magnetic member and the magnetically attractive member is adjusted by a mounting member having a vertical wall for mounting one of the magnetic member and the magnetically attractive member, and a lower horizontal wall having a plurality of slots formed therein for receiving fasteners connecting the horizontal wall to the upwardly facing surface. 16. The storage unit of claim 15, wherein the first and second positions are end-of-travel positions. 17. The storage unit of claim 15, wherein magnetic forces between the magnetic member and the magnetically attractive member cooperate to slow movement of the frame as the frame approaches the first and second positions. 18. The storage unit of claim 17, wherein one of the magnetic member and the magnetically attractive member is normally stationarily mounted to the upwardly facing surface, and wherein the other of the magnetic member and the magnetically attractive member is mounted to the frame for movement along with the frame. 19. The storage unit of claim 15, wherein the lower area of the frame includes a guide structure that receives a guide member attached to the upwardly facing surface for tracking the lower area of the frame as the frame is moved along the rail. 20. The storage unit of claim 19, wherein the guide structure and the guide member are spaced inwardly from the mounting member.